(Obama, obscure librarian, King Daley II)
Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley -- who rarely endorses candidates and who last went with a pre-nominated Presidential candidate with Al Gore in the 2000 race -- has decided to endorse Barack Obama for President, if he chooses to run.On one level, the endorsement is not surprising -- and was predicted on this site weeks ago -- because Daley is running for re-election in 2007 and is looking to round up all the support in the African American community he can get. He's also had a strong relationship with Sen. Obama, going back to his days in the State Senate, and the two share a top political advisor in David Axelrod.
But Daley does not get involved in contested primaries often. Furthermore, much of Chicago's top political talent was with Sen. John Edwards in 2004 (while Daley himself quietly favored Howard Dean.) The Mayor also has very strong ties to Hillary Clinton and Al Gore.
The timing is interesting because it comes days after Sen. Evan Bayh bowed out of the race. Bayh has long been a Daley favorite and his presence in the race could have been enough to keep him neutral throughout the primaries.
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